Vending-machine.



J. TROIDL.

I VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10; 1914.

1,138,261 Patented May 4, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. TROIDL.

' VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1914. I 1,138,261. 1 Patented May 4, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- //1 Vemar, 10%? 7/ 0/27 .Bj MW,

JOHN TROIDL, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

VENDING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May a, 1915.

Application filed September. 10, 1914. Serial No. 861 ,054.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN TROIDL, a citizen of'the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Vending-Machines,

of which the following. is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled'in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure '1 is a perspective View of a vending machine of my improved construction. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. I Fig. 3 is an enlarged. vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 33 of Fig. 1' and showing the coin projecting device in vertical section. Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 4'4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken longitudinally through the center of the machine. Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the coin con trolled actuating mechanism utilized in my improved machine.

My invcntionrelates generally to vending machines and more particularly to a machine designed for vending articles of small size and shapes, such as cigars, pencils, packages of confectionery and the like.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a vending machine with mechanism whereby a purchaser or operator of the machine may, to a certain extent, test his skill in marksmanship, and in whichtest, a coin is utilized as the projectile, and when a bulls-eye is made the coin passes in to the machine to control the action of the delivery mechanism, or if a miss is scored by the operator, the coin passes into the chute or run-way which extends to the exterior ofthe machine,.thereby returning the coin to the operator.

Fu-rtherobjects of my invention are to provide a comparatively simple inexpensive vending machine which can beeasily operated, which occupies comparatively little space on a showcase or counter, and which presents a neat and finished appearance.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction andarrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed. j

. In the construction of my improved vending machine, I utilize, a suitable base 1 upon which mounted a rectangular housing 2 preferably constructed of sheet metal, and located .inthe top of this housing is one or more sections of glass 3.

Formed in the upper portion of the front wall of the housing 2 is an opening 4 for the device which receives and projects the coin, and pivotally mounted on the inside of the front wall immediately behind this opening is a vertically disposed slotted plate 5 which receives the coin projecting device. This device is shaped something like a pistol and comprises a handle portion 6 and a barrel portion 7, which latter is provided with a longitudinally disposed passage way 8 through which the coin is projected.-

Formed through the rear of the barrel portion is an opening 9 which communicates with the passage way 8, and said opening 9 receives the coins which are placed in the machine.

Arranged to slide in the upper portion of the handle 6 and to the rear of the barrel 8 is a block 10 having an external projection 11- whereby said block is drawn backward when the device is cooked, and hearing against the rear end of this block is a leaf spring 12. Formed on the underside of the block 10 is a shoulder 13 which, when said block is drawn rearwardly, engages behind an ear 14, which latter is carried by a pivotally mounted dog 15. The lower portion of this dog has a pin and slot connection with the upper end of a pivotally mounted spring pressed trigger 16, the same projecting downwardly from the handle portion of the projecting device.

The barrel portion of the projecting device projects through the opening 4 and through the slot in the pivoted plate 5, and the opposite sides of said barrel portion are engaged by the round or pointed inner ends of screws 17 which are seated in the sides of the block 5, and thus the projecting device is mounted so that it may be shifted vertically or laterally, thus permitting the operator to readily shift the device when aimingat the target located at the opposite end of the housing.

The target comprises a vertically disposed plate 18 which depends from the top of the housing, and formed in the centerof this plate is avertically disposed slot 19 which is slightly larger than the diameter and thickness ofthe coins utilized for operating the machine. Appearing on the face of. the

plate 18 around this slot is one or more rings 20, such as are ordinarily marked upon targets, and located to the sides of said slot and projecting forwardly therefrom are parallel walls 21, the forward edges of which are rounded or beveled. Arranged on the rear Wall of the housing immediately to the rear of-the opening 19 in the plate 18 is a bell 22 which is struck by a coin which is projected through the opening 19, thereby giving an audible signal to'the operator when a bulls-eye is scored.

Located in the upper portion ofthe housing between the lower portion of the plate and the front wall of said housing is a hopper 23 whichreceives the coins which miss or are not projected through the opening 19, and leading from the discharge opening at the lower end of this hopper to one side of the chamber Within the housing is a chute 24. Leading from the lower end of this chute 24 is an inclined chute 25, the lower forward end of which terminates in a pocket 26, the same being located on the exterior of the housing at the lower left hand corner of the front wall thereof. Thus, the hopper 23 and the chutes 24 and 25 serve as means for returning to the operator those coins which miss the bulls-eye and do not pass into the coin controlled (181161} mechanism of the machine.

Located within the chamber in the lower portion of the housing 2 and fixed to the base 1 is a pair of upright walls 27 and 28, the same being connected by a rear transverse plate 29 and a front transverse plate 30. J ournaled in the lower portions of the walls 27 and 28 are the trunnions of rollers 31 and arranged for operation upon said roll. ers is an endless belt 32.

Positioned between the walls 27 and 28 and against the front plate30 is a rectangular container 33 for the goods or articlesvended by the machine, and the open lower end of this container is positioned directly over the upper portion of the belt 32.

The forward lower corner of the container 33 extends slightly beyond the front end of the rollers and said corner is cut away so as to permit the discharge of the articles from the container and at a point in front of the forwardone of the rollers 31.

Journaled in the walls 27 and 28 in front of the forward one of the rollers 31 is a shaft 34 which carries a curved delivery orholder 38 into which the vended articles are delivered and from which they are removed by the operators of the machine.

J ournaled in the Walls 27 and 28 immediately above the shaft 34 is a shaft 39 which ner of said container. Located on the upper corner of wall 28 is a block 41 in the upper portion of which is formed a vertically disposed passage way 42, and leading rearwardly through the lower portion of said block from said vertical passage way is a horizontally disposed passage way 43.

Leading from the lower end of passage way 42 downwardly through block 41 is a comparatively narrow passage way 44 which is for the purpose of permittingthc discharge from the coin pocket at the junction of the passage ways 42 and 43 of coins which are smaller than the ones intended for the operation of the machine.

Arranged to slide through the lower portion of the block .41 directly opposite the passage way 43 is a finger 45 to the outer end of which is pivotally connected one arm of a bell crank lever 46. This bill crank lever is fulcrumed on the plate 28 and pii'otally connected to the lower arm thereof is a link 47 to the lower end of which is pivotallyconnected a lever 48, the same being fulcrumed at 49 and the forward end projecting through a slot 50 formed in the lower right hand portion of the front wall of the housing 2. Located on the forward end of this lever 48 is a disk or button 51. The forward end of this lever is normally held in elevated position by means of a rectangular spring 52.

Fulcrumed 011 the'rear upper portion of plate 28 is a horizontally disposed lever 53, the rear portion of which extends between the block 41 and plate 28, and said rear portion is'bent upwardly and provided with a laterally projecting pin 54, which projects through a vertically disposed slot in the block 41. lhis pin 54 which normally occupies the lower end of slot 55 lies across the upper portion of'passage way 43 where it is coin forced through said passage way.

Pivotally connected to the forward end of lever 53 is the rear end of a lever 56 which is fulcrumed to plate 28, and the forward end of this lever is normally drawn downward by a retractile spring 57. Pivotally connected to the forward portion of lever 56 is the upper end of a vertically in position to be engaged d elevated by a mas er disposed bar 58 on the lower end of which is formed a series of rank teeth 59 which engage the. teeth of a small pinion 60, which latter is mounted on the end of shaft 3%. Fixed on the corresponding end of shaft 39 is an arm 61 to the outer end of which is pivotally connected a link 62, the lower end of which latter is pivotally connected to lever 48.,

Fixed on the trunnion of the forward one of the rollers 31 and outside the plate 28 is a ratchet wheel 63 and engaging the teeth thereof is the point of a spring held hooked pawl 64.

Located to the rear of plate 18 and below bell 22 is the upper end of a chute 65 which leads downwardly and laterally, the lower or discharge end of said chute terminating immediately above the upper end of passage way 4-2. I

A door 66 forms a part of the rear wall of the housing 2, thus providing means whereby access may be readily had to theinterior of said housing for the purpose of refilling the container 33, removing the coinsretained in the machine, and repair or adjustment of the coin controlled actuating mechanism.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The block 10 is drawn rearwardly or into cockedposition by engagement of the finger against the lug 11, which action stores power in the spring 12, and when said block has been moved to its rearward limit of movement, the ear 1 1 will engage in front of the shoulder 13. A coin of the proper denomination is now dropped through the opening 9 into the passage way 8 and the operator now aims the coin projecting device at the slot 19 in the wall 18.

The projecting device can readily be shifted owing to its being connected to the block 5 by a universal joint. After the projecting device has been aimed, the operator pulls the trigger 16, thereby releasing the block 10 and the same is impelled forward under the action of spring 12, thereby projecting through the passage way 8 toward the plate 18-on whichthe target is located.- If the coin does not pass between the walls 21 and through the slot 19, it will, after striking against theplate 18, drop into the hopper 23 and pass from thence through chute 24 into and through chute 25,-and will finally be deposited in the pocket 26 from whence it can be removed by the operator and used again in the projecting device.

While the projected coin passes between the walls 21 and through the opening 19 it strikes against bell 22, thereby registering a bulls-eye, after which said coin drops into chute and passes downwardly therethrough and into andg'through-the passage way 42 iii-block 41. The coin lodges on the shouldetsrat the upper end ofyifthe pas sage way it, thus being directly in the path of travel of the finger 4:5. The operator having scored a bulls-eye now depresses the forward end of lever 48 by pressing on the'button 51, and as a result, the .rear end of this lever is elevated,thereby actuating bell crank 46 and moving finger 15 through the block 41 and partially through passage way 42. This movement forces the coin through passage Way 43, thereby elevating pin 54 and the rear end oflever 53, and immediately thereafter, the coin is discharged through the rear end of passage way 43 into a suitable receptacle located within the housing beneath the block 41. As the rear end of lever 53 is elevated the forward end thereof is depressed, thereby swinging lever 56 upon its fulcrum, and consequently slightly raising bar 58 having the rack teeth 59 which mesh with the teeth of pinion 60. Thus shaft 34 is partially rocked and the plate or trough 35 carried thereby is moved downward, thus delivering one of the articles from the container 33 onto the plate or pan 36, and said article passes clownwa'rdly into the'pocket 38 at the front of the machine from which point it can be readily removed by the operator.

Immediately after the depression of the lever 48, the same, together with levers 53 and 56 and the coiiperating parts of the coin controlled mechanism are moved to their normal positions under the influence of retractile sprin s 52 and 57. As lever 48 is actuated the hooked pawl 64: engaging ratchet wheel 63 partially rotates the same, thereby imparting corresponding movement to the forward end of the rollers 31, thus shifting the belt 32 a short distance, which movement insures the feeding of the devices within the container 33 toward the discharge opening at the lower forward corner thereof.

Simultaneously with the depression of lever 48, the shaft 39 is rocked by reason of the connections 61 and 62 between said shaft and lever, thus vibrating finger40, and consequently imparting a slight movement of container 33 rearwardly or in opposition to the feeding forward movement of the upper portion of belt 32.

It will be understood that the vibrating movement imparted to the container 33 and the intermittent feed of the belt 32 takes place every time the lever 48 is depressed.

A vending machine of my improved construction is comparatively simple, is adapted for vending-all small articles, such as cigars," pencils, small bottles of perfume, packages of candy and the like, and be ng provided with a trigger and co n pro ecting device,v the machine is attract ve to those persons desiring to test their skill in marks- ,manship. For each coin retained in the mation, the scope of which is set 'forthin' the appended claims.

I claim: v 1. In a vending machine, a container for the articles to be vended, which container has an open bottom, an endless belt arranged beneath said container and forming a bottom therefor, a trough pivotal'ly mounted at the discharge end of the c011- tainer, means for imparting intermittent movement to the belt, and coin controlled means cooperating with and operated by thebelt actuating means for imparting tiltmg movement to the trough.

-- 2. In a vending machine, a container for.

the articles to be vended, which container has an open bottom, an endless belt arranged beneath said contalner and forming a bottom therefor, a trough pivotally mounted at the discharge end of the container, a vibrator bearing against the container, means for imparting intermittent movement to the belt and simultaneously actuating the vibrator, and coin controlled means cooperating with and actuated by the belt and vibrator actuating means for imparting tilting movement to thetrough.

In a vending machine, a container for the articles to be vended, a pair of rollers arranged beneath said container, a belt op erating on said rollers, there being a discharge opening between one of said rollers and the end of the container, a pivotally mounted trough arranged beneath said discharge opening, means for imparting movement to one of the rollers to drive the belt operating thereupon, and coin controlled means cooperating with and actuated by the roller, actuating means for imparting tiltingmovement to the trough.

4. In a vending machine, a container for the articles to be vended, apair of rollers arranged beneath said container, a belt operating on said rollers, there being a discharge opening between one oflsaid rollers and the end of the container, .a pivotally actuating means for shifting tie container simultaneously with and in a direction 0 posite to the movement of the belt and coin controlled means cooperating with and actuated by the roller actuating means for imparting tilting movement to the trough.

5. In a vending machine, a container for the articles to be vended, which container is open at its lower end, an endless belt arranged beneath the container and forming a bottom, therefor, a trough pivotally mounted at the discharge end of the container, means for moving the upper portion of the belt toward the trough and simultaneously moving the container in a directionopposite to that of the movement of the upper portion of the belt and coin controlled means actuated by and cooperating with the belt actuating means for simultaneously imparting tilting movement to the trough.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses,

this 8th day of September, 1914:.

JOHN TROIDL. Witnesses:

' M. 0. SMITH,-

M. A. HANDEL. 

